High school standouts Jonathan Manalili and Jovel Baliling are staying home, committing to Colegio de San Juan de Letran as they start their collegiate journey.
Letran Knights head coach Allen Ricardo bared to GMA News Online the development on Friday.
Manalili and Baliling are tipped to be huge addition to the rebuilding program of the Knights, who are looking to bounce back from a gloomy NCAA Season 99 campaign following the rare three-peat from 2019 to 2022.
The backcourt tandem was a key cog in the Squires’ back-to-back championship runs in the juniors division where they formed a formidable core that also features Mythical Five member George Diamante as well as Daniel Padilla asnd Syrex Silorio.
Manalili emerged as the top scorer for the Squires in Season 99, collecting 16.08 points on top of 4.23 rebounds, 6.92 assists, and 2.46 steals en route to being named the Finals MVP during their finale showdown against the Perpetual Junior ALTAs.
Baliling, meanwhile, was a solid backup guard for the Muralla crew after having poured in 9.54 markers, 4.08 boards, and 2.31 dimes.
Together, the youthful guards will bolster the Knights that will still have the likes of Kobe Monje, Kevin Santos, and Rafael Go come Season 100.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
